Table 9 Frequencies of problems caused by straw in manure handling systems used, reported by Swedish pig farmers
From: A survey of straw use and tail biting in Swedish pig farms rearing undocked pigs
Nursery units, n (%) n = 45 | Finishing pig units, n (%) n = 43 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Never | Few times/year | At least monthly | At least weekly | Total | Never | Few times/year | At least monthly | At least weekly | |
Rope/cable with arm scraper(s) | 23 (51.1) | 12 (52.3) | 8 (34.8) | 3 (13) | 0 (0) | 25 (58.1) | 22 (88) | 2 (8) | 1 (4) | 0 (0) |
Rope/cable with box scraper | 6 (13.3) | 2 (33.3) | 3 (50) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0) | 9 (20.9) | 6 (66.7) | 3 (33.3) | 0 | 0 (0) |
Hydraulic scraper | 4 (8.9) | 3 (75) | 1 (25) | 0 | 0 (0) | 1 (2.3) | 1 (100) | 0 | 0 | 0 (0) |
Shallow pit with pull-plugs | 6 (13.3) | 3 (50) | 2 (33.3) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0) | 3 (6.9) | 1 (33.3) | 2 (66.7) | 0 | 0 (0) |
Deep straw bedding | 6 (13.3) | 5 (83.3) | 1 (16.7) | 0 | 0 (0) | 4 (9.3) | 4 (100) | 0 | 0 | 0 (0) |
Slurry | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (0) | 1 (2.3) | 1 (100) | 0 | 0 | 0 (0) |